Why they serve: the Citizen-Soldier as protector
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Story and photos by Pfc. Tabitha Murray, 299th Chemical Company Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Sherman McCoy, 223rd Military Police Company, provides security at the 137th Kentucky Derby, May 7th, 2011. (Photo by Pfc. Tabitha Murray, 299th Chemical Company Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
NOTE: Each Wednesday kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 18, 2011) – Staff Sergeant Sherman McCoy, 223rd Military Police Company, proudly joined the Kentucky Army National Guard in 2006. McCoy holds numerous motives that inspired him to become an American Soldier, chief among them his family. His father, several uncles and cousins all had military backgrounds, creating his desire to be a Soldier. He chose the Guard so that he can serve his country as well as enjoying his civilian lifestyle.
“Protecting my country and way of life has always been important to me,” said McCoy.
As a squad leader McCoy strives to rise among what is expected and to serve not only the people of the United States, but his fellow Soldiers as well.
Kentucky Army National Guard Staff Sergeant Sherman McCoy, 223rd Military Police, takes his job seriously so that Kentucky Derby fans have a safe and enjoyable time at the horse races. (Photo by Pfc. Tabitha Murray, 299th Chemical Company Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
“Soldiers are my number one priority,” he said. “I have learned that being active in my soldier’s lives motivates them.”
Sergeant McCoy has immense amounts of support of his military career in the Guard from his family. His wife, Michele McCoy, is very active in the Family Readiness Group of his unit as well as being a member of the Lady’s Auxiliary.
The guard has brought along many opportunities for McCoy that he would not have had otherwise. He says the opportunity to attend college, traveling, and seeing the way the public interacts with the National Guard are all key satisfactory points as a Soldier.
One of many highlights in McCoy’s Guard career is recently working as security at this year’s 137th Kentucky Derby. He enjoyed the Derby, saying, “The response from the community is positive and I feel that it’s a good thing seeing firsthand what kind of difference the Guard makes.”
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